Covid-19 roundup: Infections are still rising across Cumbria

The total number of Covid-19 positive patients who have died in hospitals across the North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust remains at 187.

Two further deaths among Covid-19 positive patients have been announced today at the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust.

This trust, which runs hospital services in south Cumbria and north Lancashire, recorded a further two deaths among Covid-19 positive patients on Monday.

This brings the total number of deaths among Covid-19 positive patients at the trust since the pandemic began to 191.

A further 68 people have been confirmed as having coronavirus in Cumbria over the last 24 hours, updated figures show.

The latest Public Health England figures released show that Carlisle recorded an increase of 15 new cases. Along with rises in other areas of the county, the total number of cases now recorded across the county now stands at 4,579 since the pandemic began.

The breakdown of cases across the county (with the previous figure in brackets) is as follows:

* Carlisle - 1,042 (1,027)

* Allerdale - 631 (620)

* Barrow - 1,079 (1,068)

* Copeland - 520 (514)

* Eden - 324 (315)

* South Lakeland - No figure available (Previously 967)

Health chiefs in Cumbria say the county's hospitals have not yet seen a surge in coronavirus admissions, though that is happening now across the UK, said Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Scientists fear a flood of Covid-19 admissions as the winter approaches.

The Government's new 'three-tier system of Covid-19 restrictions' has now started in England.

Most of the country is in the lowest tier - medium - but millions of people in the North and the Midlands face extra curbs on households mixing.

The Liverpool region is the only area to be under the toughest rules, with pubs and bars not serving meals closed. Health chiefs in Cumbria are particularly fearful about the situation in Barrow but say cases are now rising steadily across Cumbria.